Born in 1999, Bernard Kim started studying piano at age 5 with Michèle Mary. Upon meeting Bernard d’Ascoli and Eleanor Harris he began studies at the Piano Cantabile academy in Aubagne in 2008, as well as at the Toulon Conservatory with Célimène Daudet, graduating with highest honors in 2011. The following year, he won the first prize at the Montrond-les-Bains International Competition in the under 17 category as well as first prize at the Nuits Pianistiques competition in Aix-en-Provence. 

In 2013 he was admitted to the Lyon National Superior Conservatory, where he studied with Florent Boffard and Laurent Cabasso. He earned his masters degree in 2018 and then went on to begin a Concertiste program at the Paris Regional Conservatory. Later that year he won the third prize at the Cziffra International Competition in Senlis. 

Kim has performed at the MuCEM in Marseille, at the Petit Palais in Paris for the Jeune Talents program, and at several festivals in the South of France. In April 2021 he was selected to join Gautier Capuçon’s concert tour, “Un été en France,” and soon after became the first laureate of the Fondation Gautier Capuçon, which helps launch the careers of promising young artists. With support from the Fondation, Kim recorded his first album, “Chopin, Debussy, Ravel” in January of 2022, which will be released on Warner Classics & Erato in summer 2022.

Piano

Kim Bernard

Kim joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following his nomination by Gautier Capuçon. 

Born in 1999, Bernard Kim began studying piano at age 5 with Michèle Mary. He later went on to study at the Lyon National Superior Conservatory with Florent Boffard and Laurent Cabasso where he earned his masters degree in 2018, after which he began the Concertiste program at the Paris Regional Conservatory. With support from the Fondation, Kim has recorded his first album, “Chopin, Debussy, Ravel” on Warner Classics & Erato (2022).

Kim Bernard | Debussy, L’isle Joyeuse

L’isle Joyeuse

Classeek Showroom performance, June 2022

Kim Bernard | Chopin, Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op.60

Barcarolle in F sharp major Op.60

Kim joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following his nomination by Gautier Capuçon. Born in 1999, Bernard Kim began studying piano at age 5 with Michèle Mary. He later went on to study at the Lyon National Superior Conservatory with Florent Boffard and Laurent Cabasso where he earned his masters degree in 2018, after which he began the Concertiste program at the Paris Regional Conservatory. With support from the Fondation, Kim has recorded his first album, “Chopin, Debussy, Ravel” on Warner Classics & Erato (2022).

Kim Bernard | Chopin, Berceuse in D flat major Op.57

Berceuse in D flat major Op.57

Kim Bernard | Debussy, Reflets dans l’eau

Reflets dans l’eau

Kim Bernard | Chopin, Ballade in F minor No.4, Op.52

Ballade in F minor No.4, Op.52

Gautier Capuçon is a true 21st century ambassador for the cello. Performing internationally with many of the world's foremost conductors and instrumentalists, he is also founder and leader of the 'Classe d'Excellence de Violoncelle' at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and a passionate ambassador for the Orchestre à l'École Association, which brings classical music to more than 40,000 thousands school children across France. A multiple award winner, he is acclaimed for his expressive musicianship, exuberant virtuosity, and for the deep sonority of his 1701 Matteo Goffriller cello "L'Ambassadeur".

Cello

Gautier Capuçon

Kim Bernard & Gautier Capuçon | Grieg, Sonata for cello and piano in A minor, Op.36, I. Allegro agitato

Sonata for cello and piano in A minor, Op.36, I. Allegro agitato

Kim Bernard & Gautier Capuçon | Piazzolla, Oblivion (Encore)

Oblivion

Kim Bernard & Gautier Capuçon | Monti, Czardas (encore)

Czardas

Performing regularly as a concert pianist in Japan, Kiana Reid has also given concerts in Italy, Germany, Austria, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. She has been invited to perform at many prestigious venues, including the Suntory Hall and Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Japan. She has performed with many professional artists and in various orchestras, including Orchestra Sinfonica Metropolitana di Bari,Tochigi Philharmonic Orchestra, Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra, Takamatsu Symphony Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra and Seto Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Born in Japan in 1995, Reid studied the piano from the age of six, and at the age of eleven she was awarded the first prize at the PTNA Piano Competition. In 2010, she was accepted by The Music High School attached to The Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts and started to study with Hirosh Arimori. When she was seventeen, she performed at the Salzburg Music Festival. In 2014 She received a Scholarship funded by YAMAHA and Rohm music foundation. She won the 5th prize at the 3rd Takamatsu International Piano Competition, won 1st prize at the Città di Albenga International Piano Competition, won 1st prize at the Amigdala International Prize for Piano Interpretation and 46th Palma d'Oro International Piano Competition.

In March 2017 she graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts at the top of her year and performed for the Imperial Family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. She received Ariadne Musica Prize, Oga Norio Prize, Mitsubishi Chisyo Prize, Acanthus Music Prize, Ataka Prize, and Doseikai Prize from Tokyo University of the Arts. She also received the Next Generation Cultural Award and Art Encouragement Prize from Shiga prefecture. She is a selected 2021-22 artist of  “Building Bridges for the Next Generation of Pianists” produced by Sir Andràs Schiff.

She studied under Prof. Pasquale Iannone, and graduated from Conservatorio di Musica “Niccolò Piccinni” Bari with the highest score. She currently continues her studies under the tutelage of Prof. Eldar Nebolsin at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin.

Kiana Reid

Masterclass given by pianist Kiana Reid to the students of the Conservatoire de Lausanne (Augustine Daenzer, Maxime Rivier, Francesco Vassallo, Suvarn Trivedi).

In partnership with the Conservatoire de Lausanne, Classeek is proud to present these masterclasses to the students of the conservatoire, offering important insightful experiences on their educational journey. Bringing together two generations of young artists, Classeek's masterclasses see artists of the Ambassador Program transmitting their knowledge and sharing their wealth of experience, to an even younger generation.

Kiana Reid masterclass highlights

in partnership with the Conservatoire de Lausanne

Kiana joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following her nomination by Sir Andràs Schiff. 

Born in Japan in 1995, Reid studied the piano from the age of six, and at the age of eleven she was awarded the first prize at the PTNA Piano Competition. In 2010, she was accepted by the music school in collaboration with the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts, to study with Hirosh Arimori. When she was just seventeen years old, she performed at the Salzburg Music Festival and in 2014 she received a Scholarship funded by YAMAHA and Rohm music foundation. On the competition platform, Reid holds the 1st prize at the Città di Albenga International Piano Competition, the Amigdala International Prize for Piano Interpretation and the 46th Palma d'Oro International Piano Competition, and 5th prize at the 3rd Takamatsu International Piano Competition. 

Kiana Reid | Schumann, Fantasy in C major 

Fantasy in C major

Kiana Reid | Haydn, Sonata in F major

Sonata in F major

Classeek Showroom concert, June 2022

Hailed as a “wonderful pianist” with “absolute devotion to the music” and “admirable technique” (Globes), pianist Shir Semmel has performed in Europe, the United States, and her native Israel to critical acclaim. Praised for her “unstoppable energy and personality” (timesunionPLUS), her performances have been described as “gripping from beginning to end” (The Jerusalem Post). 

Semmel has recently been invited by Sir András Schiff to play recitals throughout Europe as part of his “Building Bridges” series, created to highlight young pianists of unusual promise. First Prize winner of several competitions, she has participated in international festivals such as the Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, IMS Prussia Cove, IMS Open Chamber Music, the Gstaad Piano Academy at the Menuhin Festival, Mänttä Piano Festival in Finland and the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New-York. She has appeared in such venues as Carnegie Hall (Weill and Zankel), Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, Shriver Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater and Rose Studio, the Jerusalem Theater, Tel-Aviv Museum and many more. Future engagements include concerts in Israel, the United States (west and east coasts), Germany (including at the Konzerthaus Berlin) and Switzerland. 

​An avid chamber musician, Semmel cofounded the Jerusalem Piano Duo together with her brother, pianist Dror Semmel, and is also on the roster of the Manhattan Chamber players. She has collaborated with such artists as Gilbert Kalish, Colin Carr, Isabel Leonard, Hagai Shaham, Zvi Plesser, members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and members of the Israel Philharmonoic Orchestra. As a former member of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble ACJW, she performed regularly at Carnegie Hall among other venues, and worked to engage with the community and enhance music education throughout New York. ​Many of her concerts were recorded for the radio and some have been released on CD. A consistent recipient of the American-Israel Cultural Foundation excellence scholarships, Semmel has worked with renowned pianists such as Sir András Schiff, Murray Perahia, Richard Goode, Robert Levin, Jonathan Biss, Yefim Bronfman, and many others.

​In addition to her busy performance schedule, Shir has also taught undergraduate piano and chamber music students at Stony Brook University. She has given masterclasses in schools and universities in the US, and led workshops at the Juilliard School in New York. She currently teaches at the Israel Conservatory of Music, Tel-Aviv. ​

Born in Jerusalem, Semmel studied with Lena Nemirosky-Wiskind. She graduated summa cum laude from the Jerusalem Music Academy as a student of Alexander Tamir and Asaf Zohar. She completed her Master of Music degree with honors at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music where she studied with Emanuel Krasovsky. She spent four years at the Peabody Institute as a student of Leon Fleisher, and has recently completed her DMA at SUNY Stony Brook under the tutelage of Gilbert Kalish.

Shir Semmel

Shir joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following her nomination by Sir Andràs Schiff. 

Hailed as a “wonderful pianist” with “absolute devotion to the music” and “admirable technique” (Globes), pianist Shir Semmel has performed in Europe, the United States, and her native Israel to critical acclaim. A first Prize winner of several competitions, she has participated in international festivals such as the Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, IMS Prussia Cove, IMS Open Chamber Music, the Gstaad Piano Academy at the Menuhin Festival, as well as perfoming in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Shriver Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater and Rose Studio, and many more.

Shir Semmel | Janáček, Piano Sonata 1.X.1905 'From the Street'

Piano Sonata 1.X.1905 'From the Street'

Classeek Showroom concert, May 2022

Masterclass given by pianist Shir Semmel to students of the Conservatoire de Lausanne (Gabriel Kreis and Valentine Garçia).

Shir Semmel masterclass highlights

Shir joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following her nomination by Sir Andràs Schiff. 

Shir Semmel | Schumann, Davidsbündlertänze Op.6, No.14 'Zart und singend'

Davidsbündlertänze Op. 6

An excerpt of No.13 'Wild und lustig' from Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze Op. 6, performed by Shir Semmel.

Shir joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following her nomination by Sir Andràs Schiff. Hailed as a “wonderful pianist” with “absolute devotion to the music” and “admirable technique” (Globes), pianist Shir Semmel has performed in Europe, the United States, and her native Israel to critical acclaim. A first Prize winner of several competitions, she has participated in international festivals such as the Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, IMS Prussia Cove, IMS Open Chamber Music, the Gstaad Piano Academy at the Menuhin Festival, as well as perfoming in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Shriver Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater and Rose Studio, and many more.

Shir Semmel | Schumann, Davidsbündlertänze Op. 6, excerpt from No.13 'Wild und lustig'

Classeek Showroom performance, May 2022

Shir Semmel | Schumann, Davidsbündlertänze Op.6, No.2 'Innig'

Davidsbündlertänze Op.6

Shir Semmel | Schumann, Davidsbündlertänze Op.6, excerpt from No.17 'Wie aus der Ferne'

Shir Semmel | Schumann, No.8 & No.9 from Davidsbündlertänze Op.6

After studying with Jérôme Pernoo at the CNSM in Paris and then in Gautier Capuçon's class of excellence at the Vuitton Foundation, Caroline Sypniewski perfected her skills with Clemens Hagen at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. At the same time, she obtained the DEM in piano at the CRR in Paris as well as a DEM in accompaniment at the CRR in Boulogne-Billancourt. Throughout her career, she has notably benefited from the advice of Gary Hoffman, Lluis Claret, Ivan Monighetti, Wolfgang Boettcher, Colin Carr.

Caroline has performed as a soloist and in chamber music in many festivals such as Prades, Debussy, W Krainie Chopina in Warsaw, the Orangerie de Sceaux, Vézère, Val d'Aulnay, Edinburgh Festival, Tons Voisins, Notes in Irancy, Instants de Grasse, Music at l'Empéri, Music at Versailles, Music and wines at Clos-Vougeot, Musical Thursdays in Royan, Monsieur Haydn's Holidays at Roche Posay; and in large halls European institutions such as the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Philharmonie de Paris, Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, La Seine Musicale, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Schloss Elmau, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, and the Chorégies d'Orange. In April 2018 she represented the Van Cleef & Arpels brand at a private event at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

She has taken part in numerous varied projects including the Seiji Ozawa Academy, Jaroussky Academy, Villecroze Academy, and masterclasses at Kronberg. She is a resident at the Villa Musica Foundation in Germany within the Mona Quartet, also a resident at ProQuartet, and she founded a string trio with her two sisters Magdalena and Anna. On the chamber music platform, she has shared the stage with Adam Laloum, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Gautier Capuçon, Philippe Graffin, Emmanuel Pahud, Jérôme Pernoo, Michel Beroff, Laurent Naouri, Philippe Bernold, amongst many others. As a soloist, Caroline has performed with the Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra, Dijon-Bourgogne Orchestra, Appassionato Ensemble, Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and the New Europe Chamber Orchestra.

Caroline was named Adami's Classic Revelation 2017, Young Talent 2019 at the Music and Wine Festival at Clos-Vougeot, is supported by the Safran Foundation and won the Ginette Neveu prize at the Carl Flesch Academy 2015 as well as the Grand Prix of the 2018 Ravel Academy.

Caroline Sypniewski

Masterclasses with cellist Caroline Sypniewski and pianist Pierre-Yves Hodique, given to the students of the Conservatoire de Lausanne (Constance Lengagne, Leonor De Andres, Aïna Rodel, Lorian Castioni and Adrien Huber).

Caroline Sypniewski & Pierre-Yves Hodique masterclass highlights

Caroline joined the Classeek Ambassador Programme in season 2021-22, following her nomination by Gautier Capuçon. 

After studying with Jérôme Pernoo at the Conservatoire national Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris and then in Gautier Capuçon’s Classe d’Excellence de Violoncelle at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, Caroline Sypniewski went on to study with Clemens Hagen at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. She was named Classical Revelation by Adami (2017) and Young Talent of the Music and Wine Festival in Clos-Vougeot (2019) and was awarded the Ginette Neveu Prize at the Carl Flesch Academy (2015) and Grand Prix of the Académie Ravel (2018). Caroline is supported by the Safran Foundation.

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